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Ideally, the spring months should put a spring in your step because the season represents new life. However, sometimes instead of experiencing renewed energy and vigor, you may feel lethargic and tired because of your work or study load. At such times, it is important to remember that there are options other than coffee or energy drinks to boost your energy. Instead of relying on these sugar-loaded beverages, choose a healthy spring snack. Here is a list of 14 spring snacks for energy.

Berries

Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries – pick your favorite or pack them all. Berries boost your energy because of the naturally-occurring sugars in them. These spring snacks are renowned for the antioxidants present in them and are brimming with minerals, fiber, and vitamins. Berries are also known to aid in weight loss.

Popcorn

Popcorn is your best bet when you are looking for healthier substitutes for junk snacks like salty pretzels or high-carbohydrate potato chips. While the complex carbohydrates in popcorn will give you an energy boost, the fiber present in it will ensure that your stomach feels full.

Eggs

Eggs are considered to be complete protein because of the presence of all nine vital amino acids that cannot be produced by the body. Eating an egg as a snack will not only help you keep hunger at bay, but also can give you an energy boost.

Watermelon

Snacking on watermelon ensures that you keep dehydration at bay, which in turn keeps fatigue away. A high water content along with the sweet and juicy taste is what makes watermelon one of the most loved fruits.

Get more from your spring snacks when you add a probiotic supplement to support digestion and help balance the way your body processes food.

Bananas

Bananas make for a good energy-boosting spring snack because of the complex carbohydrates, potassium, and B-vitamins in them. Along with increasing your energy, this fruit is also known for ensuring that your blood sugar rises in a steady manner.

Yogurt

Yogurt can be considered a superfood because of its many health benefits. This protein-rich snack with minerals that enhance your energy and also has probiotics. Probiotics are live microbes that help in the production of B-vitamins in the gut. These vitamins are vital to increasing energy production.

Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate as a snack gives you the best of both worlds – it is very tasty and it also gives you an energy boost. Magnesium and flavonoids in dark chocolate are responsible for its energy-boosting properties. Choosing dark chocolate that has 70% or higher cocoa content ensures that you get the optimum energy-boosting effect but without the excess sugar content.

Dried fruits

Dried fruits are basically fruits that have had almost all of their water content removed using different methods. Without the water, all that is left in dried fruits is energy – this is the reason why they serve as excellent pick-me-up snacks. Ensure that the dried fruits you choose are unsweetened to avoid excess sugar consumption.

Spinach

One of the reasons you may be feeling fatigued is low levels of iron in your body. While you may take iron supplements, naturally-occurring leafy vegetables like spinach are excellent sources of iron. Keep up your iron levels by including spinach in your salads or smoothies.

Fermented foods

Fermented foods like pickles, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut are good sources of probiotics. Probiotics have several health benefits, including strengthening your immune system, keeping your digestive system healthy, and producing B-vitamins in your gut. These B-vitamins aid in nutrient absorption and energy production.

Sweet potatoes

A rich source of potassium, sweet potatoes are full of nutrients. These make for a good energy snack because of the complex carbohydrates in them. Such types of carbohydrates digest slowly ensuring that your stomach stays full for longer. The high potassium content maintains hydration levels and electrolyte balance, along with lowering blood pressure.

Whole grains

If you would like to include grains in your energy-boosting spring snacks, choose whole grains. The complex carbohydrates and B-vitamins see to it that you are feeling energetic throughout the day. Some of your whole grain options to include are quinoa, brown rice, whole wheat, and millet.

Coconut

Coconut is a rich source of a special kind of fat known as MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides). An increase in energy is one of the benefits of consuming MCTs. Apart from boosting your energy, coconut also enhances certain thyroid functions, particularly metabolism. In other words, coconut is an excellent spring snack that increases your energy and endurance.

Cucumbers

Dehydration can lead to fatigue – one of the reasons you may be feeling tired most of the time is because you don’t drink enough water. Cucumbers can help you out with dehydration because of its high water content. You can either put it in a salad or eat it as is.

Eating Well for Energy

While you may be considering these 14 spring snacks for energy boosting, they also have numerous digestive health benefits. While some of them increase energy directly, the others aid in the way your body uses energy. If you find that fitting these snacks into your daily diet is tough, consider adding a probiotic supplement to help maximize the nutritional value of the food you eat through proper digestion.

If you are considering taking probiotics to improve your overall health, there is no better choice than LoveBug Probiotics. The patented Bio-tract delivery system makes LoveBug products is 15 times more effective than others in the market. Additionally, the LoveBug product line offers probiotics for everyone, including probiotics for women and even probiotics for babies.

References

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Bates, C.J. (1993) Folic acid. InEncyclopaedia of Food Science Food Technology and Nutrition ed. Macrae, R.,Robinson, R.K. and Sadler, M.J. pp. 1936–1944. London, UK: Academic Press.

Perdigon, G. et al. Immune System Stimulation by Probiotics. Journal of Dairy Science , Volume 78 , Issue 7 , 1597 - 1606

Roganović, J., & Starinac, K. (2018). Iron Deficiency Anemia in Children. Current Topics in Anemia. doi:10.5772/intechopen.69774